5-Table Marengo Wargame

In this season finale episode, Little Wars TV crosses the Alps to re-fight the battle that minted General Bonaparte as the future Emperor Napoleon I. Greg and Tom unpack the Napoleon's legend and wonder how close he came to losing the Marengo campaign. Then, they dare to ask if one (or two?) other commanders in the campaign deserve more credit than history bestowed them.
Finally, seven players match wits across five tabletops with vast armies of 15mm miniatures to fight the entire June 1800 campaign across northwestern Italy. Can Napoleon drive the Austrians from Italy, or will Melas and his subordinates rewrite the history of the Napoleonic age? Find out in this super-sized finale with Little Wars TV!
Visit www.LittleWarsTV.com for bonus content, including a free copy of the scenario played in this video. And check back on KZbin next week for our "Snappy Nappy" rule review and an inspiring terrain tutorial!
Thanks to everyone who has subscribed and watched our first season of historical wargames. If you're just discovering us, please subscribe and leave us a comment below! Sharing our videos and telling your friends are among the best ways you can help us grow this new channel.

[@adrianbenson2521]

Dieter: "As a wargamer I could fight this out, but as a general I have to surrender" Don't hear stuff like that enough around the table 😊

[@scouttrooper3123]

I love that

[@johnrohde5510]

It would have made Mack proud ;)

[@jforozco12]

This format is just amazing I dream of playing a war game like this, the written communication, the 5 tables, the roads and fog of war, just simple genius.

[@DH.2016]

Jealous also. I also like the mention of cavalry being used to scout ahead on the next table (part of the fog of war you mentioned).

[@WormholeJim]

Find out if there's a games and hobbystore in your city. Chances are that players will meet there during closing hours to wage tabletop wargaming. Also there's a lot of various gaming conventions being held all over some of which will include massive tabletop wargames. If you want to try out a game without commiting yourself over your head, you can.

[@patavinity1262]

11:33 "They have excellent cured meats here" Ironic considering that Masséna's forces were on the brink of starving to death while besieged in Genoa - Masséna himself never physically recovered.

[@kolbys.3798]

This is seemingly the only 6mm wargaming channel out there, never stop producing these awesome videos.

[@LittleWarsTV]

No doubt there will be plenty more 6mm action to com! We've only scratched the surface of our club's 6mm collections.

[@valentincheval3878]

This is so amazing. As a french wargame amateur i am so pleased, amazed by this. The subtle shitty french accent roleplay by massena cracked me up

[@LittleWarsTV]

VERY subtle, yes!

[@JimOwczarski1824]

Oh, and I think my favorite bit is the hussars happening on an unguarded supply depot. That right there will teach you.

[@LittleWarsTV]

In a big game like this with road networks and supply lines, those depots matter! That's often the difference between winning and losing a campaign, but it's hard to replicate that in a typical 1-table wargame where you're just playing a specific battle.

[@auxencefromont1989]

I am french and i have just discovered that i can hold my breath for 30 mins XD

[@valentincheval3878]

N'est ce pas?!!! Chaine geniale!

[@PainlessBread]

"There are over 2k miniatures here in front of me" HOW MUCH $$$ IS THAT JESUS

[@jorgejustin461]

Not much. Look up Baccus 6mm, they are really cheap.

[@fuzztsimmers3415]

@@jorgejustin461 alot were bought second hand aswell.

[@S_sleepin]

@@jorgejustin461 around £500 jesus...

[@rileyosteen6470]

@@S_sleepin don’t look up 40k Forgeworld Miniatures; you’ll have a heart attack

[@maltezimmermann8604]

@@jorgejustin461 are these 6mm figures?

[@pepela8214]

I love how one of the players took the wrong road, what a cool mechanic

[@MegaGamer-lg7sp]

After watching this fairly large-scale campaign battle, I was inspired to make a request/suggestion for another episode: "The Overland Campaign" (1864) or "The Penisula Campaign" (1862)

[@talesfromshedhq5208]

Great Season Finale 👍 Highlight has to be Dieters superb “Austrian” accent - “throw another shrimp on the barby” 😂🤣😂

[@flyingfish5054]

Ja, throw ein shrimp auf das barby

[@Holdit66]

Great job. The voiceover sounds like it could be a reading of a real campaign history.

[@wxman5401]

"That was a pretty good little charge you made today Kellerman".--Bonaparte

[@relmcheatham]

Playing the Radetzky march there at the end gave me a chuckle lol

[@gordonyork6638]

That looks like a great game. Perhaps you guys should allow visiting gamers to be guests of honour to be able to play with such a great cadre of fellow grognards.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Gordon, we have visitors here at the club somewhat regularly. Our most distant passersby were two gamers from the UK. That was especially fun, getting to hear about their experiences with the hobby from across the pond.

[@kartchner7]

This by far my favorite of all the wonderful games you guys have posted. The multiple players, the fog of war and multiple tables, all make a war game that dreams are made of! Thank you so much for re inspiring my interest in wanting to pull out the minis and give it a go!

[@LittleWarsTV]

Glad you enjoyed this one! We have another very unique fog of war game coming up this season (and it's also Napoleonics).

[@kartchner7]

@@LittleWarsTV i am very excited to see it! I may have overstated a little bit, some of the other fog of games you have done, like 1st manassas are also very high on my list. Its got me wanting to game the ACW, which is something I have never gotten to do, since coming back to historicals, even though its one of my favorite periods to read.

[@ddpresearch07]

There’s an old rule of wargaming: You always want to play the side that historically lost. You know much more and you can always do better

[@steveholmes11]

Massena's accent from the Peter Sellers school of character acting. That looked like a wonderful game, what a season finale.

[@MarcCelisKuss]

Napoleon was very protective with his generals and field marshals coz he was mainly relying on operational excellence to win its battle, Marengo is a good example of with for the controlled retreat on the battlefield and the march from the detached army back to the battlefield. This strong leadership is one for the reason among others why Waterloo campaign was so bad, most of the high ranking officers were missing. So the way you describe all these is quite light. But as for the wargame part amazing job, I love how you succeed to include one of the key element of war and which so hard to replicate in physical wargame... the fog of war & communication limits, especially in any conflit prior to WW2. Great job

[@michaelnewbanks2569]

This is GREAT guys! Can't wait for more! How long till we start season two. This is by far my favorite wargaming channel. Thanks for your hard work!

[@LittleWarsTV]

Glad you enjoyed it, Michael! We must be doing something right to be your favorite wargaming channel--thank you! Season two will be in 2019...more details forthcoming in a video sometime the first week of January.

[@Scylla_Charybdis]

Well hoooooooly crap. That's certainly a game and a half. The only other game I've seen come close was a three table Epic game at a club in Arizona, but even then this is leagues ahead of it (and historical too, that's always nice). Season 2 should end with Austerlitz.

[@redmist1122]

Now this is a game I would like to play in. I really like the limited communication and the separation s fighting. Great Show! Oh BTW, where can I get the cool "Eagle" t-shirt Tom was wearing? Thanks.

[@IronIvanKeith]

Edit: Correction, that is an Operational Studies Group shirt from Napoleon Games. www.napoleongames.com/

[@starbugmechanic5236]

Wow! This makes Axis and Allies look like Risk.

[@DominusRexDK]

this was F´ing Awesome. feel inspired to do something large for my cold war gaming while also inspired to maybe get into Napoleonic.

[@LittleWarsTV]

You've been watching and commenting here from the early days, Steffen. We really appreciate that!

[@abcbcde9985]

As a solo wargamer stuff like this really starts to tempt me out of exile. But geography thwarts me yet again, I live 3 hours round trip from a major city. I wonder if a combination of web cams and maps could bring solo's together for a 'kind of' real time game? Imagine having to be the umpire!

[@iagoofdraiggwyn98]

Could be easy, utilize email instead of chat rooms for writen orders to keep them seperate and direct. Use chat rooms for discussion and localized orders. Use cameras for the battle field. Who ever is on the other side of the camera is umpire. You could do a live strean of a wargame video game instead of a board, through it would be rather difficult for work, it could be a interesting and unique idea.

[@paterpatriae645]

There is a large online community playing such wargames, if you're still interested

[@strangeyoungman]

"...I am stuck in Genoa. Now, luckily, Zey 'ave excellent cures meats 'ere." I love it. Hon hon hon.

[@Aranubis]

Melas was a great commander and would have beaten Napoleon without Desaix.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Certainly...I mean, he DID beat Napoleon without Desaix. Desaix not showing up at the very end is one of the great "what ifs" in history.

[@JRufu]

This is just brilliant.

[@JimOwczarski1824]

BRAVO! Entirely well done. Russ autographed my copy of "Snappy Nappy" years ago at Historicon and I've wanted to have a go at this ever since.

[@leesheppard2432]

Thanks for a wonderful debut season of Little Wars TV. One of the highlights of every week has been watching your videos. Can't wait for season two.

[@rambunctiousmedia3350]

I'm still waiting on the following wargames: Cambrai - could the British cavalry have stuck to the plan and made a difference, without tarnishing the Royal Tank Regiment's trial by fire? And Long Island - could the American revolutionaries have been able to successfully defend New York from the British?

[@TumbleweedMK4]

Thanks for giving credit to the other amazing and important characters of the grande armee!

[@Legogunpro]

That was fantastic! I ADORED those minis, and find the Napoleonic era fascinating! Will you guys be doing a Waterloo or Leipzig wargame on this scale?

[@LittleWarsTV]

We have done Waterloo twice in the club (once in 15mm and once in 6mm scale) and do hope to play more Napoleonic battles on the channel. We do a lot of Napoleonics in the club.

[@Legogunpro]

@@LittleWarsTV That's good to hear!

[@brianbeakes1426]

Next time, make sure I am not the one doing the negotiating. Ha.

[@AndrewBrew]

Well, that was awesome. What a season finish!

[@raaven616gaming6]

More Napoleon battles please.

[@Wooteq44]

Spectacular. You guys are living the wargaming dream.

[@hrh4hthegqrht203]

The amount of accents, and quality of accents that Steve can do is really impressive!

[@get_the_lead_out]

Another outstanding video guys - thanks so much for all the hard work!! Bring on season two!!!

[@deathguarddavegoogley2022]

Love Napoleonics. Love the channel. Keep up the good work and a merry Christmas to you all!

[@stevensargevertessen7913]

this is a great concept! i'm in awe

[@13thLegio]

Love the content in these episodes. Don't change a thing! It's perfect!

[@johnmumby532]

Great video!! Reminded me of the Snappy Nappy game at Historicon with 12 tables! Thanks again!

[@SlotraceDK]

Awesome season finale!!!! Five tables with movement in between the tables!!! A lot of work is done to make this happen!!!

[@LittleWarsTV]

Thanks! It was quite a bit of work to put together, but it was one of the most memorable and strategically interesting games we've done at the club.

[@SlotraceDK]

Would love to see some more ACW games

[@Aranubis]

Funfact the name of the Austrian General who lost Marengo after Melas was wounded was Anton von Zach. And at Aspern Archduke Charles raised the flag of the Zach regiment.

[@NoMuse13]

Helluva game and well fought! Can't wait for Season 2!

[@kentharyett4411]

Congratulations on a terrific first season. I have enjoyed every episode but this last one was a really excellent way to end the season. What a great bunch of guys to game with and wow, your club facility first class. Green with envy. I look forward to more rules reviews and battle reports next year. Happy holidays to all and thanks for the inspiration.

[@wombat9226]

Excellent end to a great first season! I’m looking forward to many more seasons and interesting battles in the future! Well done

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

Another amazing episode - quite the campaign

[@iagoofdraiggwyn98]

This inspires me to create my own wargame system...

[@SkHATEy]

Wow! Great work guys!

[@princeofmoskova]

Great game! Thank you for a great FIRST season!

[@goodolzimm5827]

I certainly miss my miniatures. Great to see you folks having such fun.

[@DG-ky2cu]

Superb guys. Really well done, and very entertaining. Appreciate how much work must have gone into this. It was fantastic to see a mini-campaign; it perfectly sets history in context and gives so much more perspective than a simple re-fight of Marengo. What a season finale! Very much looking forward to next season. Keep up the excellent work guys. Truly inspiring!

[@BrokenDice]

That was Awesome! loved the use of multiple tables and movement onto and off via a road network. Great success.

[@bernardputersznit64]

THIS IS **GREAT** -- thanks for the exposition

[@dieseldejavu]

Wish I could have played in that one!! Great game Greg!

[@bdubbs]

I just love this video so much

[@trevorbarrett8569]

This is absolutely incredible - what an effort to put this together.

[@DE-rd1zl]

A very good end to an awesome first season. Looked like a blast.

[@gwggamingwgaravaglia]

very enjoyable ! My compliments . Well done all around . would like to see more just like this !! Thank you for the video.

[@philRminiatures]

Fantastci job + wonderful period + friendly group + beautiful units and terrain = 👍👍👍👍👍

[@owenraven3476]

I love all you post from content to presentation to the fact that there is never a glass of whiskey far from the gaming table. keep them coming

[@LittleWarsTV]

Brown liquor is the fuel of this club! An army can't march with an empty Scotch glass!

[@rickhudson7929]

great game and interesting video. I'm just starting with Napoleonic's - painting up my 95th rifles right now, can't wait to get started and really spurred on by this video :-)

[@Blueqoose]

Rick Hudson are you painting in same scale? If so where does one start for nepoleonic wars?

[@GrumblingGrognard]

Great production; but I did hear a few odd *beeps* when players were speaking, right after they rolled dice... ;)

[@Legogunpro]

This vid was great! I would love to see another Napoleonic wargame!

[@hugosophy]

I haven't even watched 2 minutes of this and I'll tell you this: the credit if Marengo goes to desaix. Who was miles away yet heard the thunder of battle. He followed the noise jand arrived at about 530pm just as the French were in a fighting retreat. Desaix galloped to the front and a messenger said "you're too late, this battle is lost. And desaix said: but alas, there is still time to win ANOTHER battle!!! His fresh troop reinvigorated and rallied the retreating French and the Austrians as they tasted victory and pursued the French lost cohesion and at just the right serendipitous moment Desaixs troops attacked the Austrian center. The Austrians in disbelief scattered and were routed. Just as Desaix was leading his men at the cusp of victory he was cut down by sharpshooters bullet mortally wounding him. Desaix died before Napoleon could say farewell and well opportunistically took credit for the victory. Desaix died the same day as his friend and fellow general Kleber was assassinated in Egypt.

[@greyic]

This is epic. Great content. Thanks for sharing.

[@militarywargaming7840]

Again fabulous wargaming....context, analysis, campaign connected battles. Fantastic effort and have been banging the drum about linked battles in a campaign context with logistics...well done

[@Blood_Casual_Gaming]

love listening to your videos while playing games thank you so much for having interesting content

[@miltiadismichalopoulos4034]

you guys are great! congratulations for the wonderful game...

[@gromuk]

Great game guys, that finale was fantastic. I envy you guys, the club looks like great fun.

[@VasKropZolo]

The quality is top notch as always, but I smashed the like button at Steve’s description of holding Genoa.

[@jrrb2k]

Great stuff, fellas. I would love to try something like this

[@anthonysilva931]

Man great game you guys should do the twin battles of Jena/Auersedt 1806 from the napoleonic wars where Napoleon and Davoust won decisive battles against the Prussian army

[@rcspaintservice]

love the fog-of-war aspect - absolutely one of your better wargames

[@HerooftheTable]

Great stuff as always. You have given me great ideas to use with my gaming group.

[@LittleWarsTV]

If you head over to our website we have the PDFs needed to run this exact event with your gaming group--all the OOBs, briefings, maps, road sign in sheets, etc. 100% free!

[@HerooftheTable]

@@LittleWarsTV Thanks. The fun part for me is that this idea can be translated into other game periods and rule sets. I've really been enjoying your videos and look forward to season 2.

[@daveryan2148]

Wow. That was wild.

[@e-4airman124]

really great fun. thank you

[@grapple99]

just found this channel... it rocks..

[@justinpinard6434]

Never played a wargame in my life but this looks incredible. I wish there were people in my area into stuff like this!

[@LittleWarsTV]

You might be surprised! There are people all over the world who are into these kinds of games! Our club started with just two guys meeting weekly and grew into what it is now.

[@LarsHTaft]

I want a crew like these guys, that was EPIC!

[@reglavcor]

Great video. Hope they do the Austerlitz Campaign, next.

[@star_wars_gamer]

My friends and I used to talk about the streaming Hollywood videos we had watched during the week...now we talk about the great videos from Little wars TV. Outstanding in every way. Can't wait for next season and to meet some of you Generals at an upcoming Convention

[@LittleWarsTV]

Glad you and the other guys are enjoying them! If any of you plan to be at Cold Wars or Historicon next year, we will be there running games, filming other people's games, and maybe playing in some games, too!

[@spocksleftball]

Brilliant game, excellent preparation GM and team

[@LittleWarsTV]

Thanks--this game was one of the most interesting scenarios we've played in the club over the last several years. It really worked well!

[@tommckinnell2001]

Just noted the Darkwood Armory T-shirt. Wonderful people!

[@ostrowulf]

That game looked like a blast.

[@sillycelt5356]

16:30 thats Australian not Austrian lol

[@deepyamandas1192]

Another example of social media fun!(and memes)

[@Anvilarm07]

Wow your best one yet. I love the idea of multiple tables with connecting roads and limited intelligence. I must see if I can get our little group to try such a thing.

[@bhowie43]

great game everyone, ive got to find some historical wargamers in my area soon.

[@ahmadtheIED]

I fucking love how hard Steve goes. That man is my spirit animal. The fucking french accent made me lose it lol.

[@theunfortunategeneral]

This. Was really cool

[@abegbg]

Lovely! I would love to learn more on how the campaign rules worked. What was the in game time, recordkeeping involved ann so on.

[@unclebandit1169]

Really loving these group of guys and their wargames. They're having a lot of fun and it shows. And for me they're local so that's really cool for me haha. Can't wait for Season 2. Personally I'd love to see a wargame of "The Battle of Gallipoli"

[@m3lv1n19]

Great campaign. I'd love to run something like this in the future.

[@LittleWarsTV]

We encourage you to give it a shot! The entire scenario and everything you need to try this can be found for free on our website under the Free Stuff section.

[@elliotloranger437]

This is a dream of mine someday to play a campaign like this. Maybe when I'm older like you guys (lol) it may come true. Either way, stunningly beautiful and engrossing gameplay.

[@Drumsgoon]

This would make a great video game as well!

[@takethewinwargames]

Great game and fun to watch. But somebody please tell Dieter that Austria and Australia are different countries; )

[@nicklemming2556]

That's a great prize at the end for the winner. :D

[@IronIvanKeith]

Immortalized for getting captured. That sounds about right for me.

[@paulomayor1258]

This wargame is awesome !!! I would love to meet you guys to talk about painting figures, paints, scenarios, tactics and strategies. You guys are to be congratulated !!! Paulo Mayor from Brazil.